Long Beach, Calif. -
After scoring two runs in the top of the ninth to tie the game at 5-5, UC Santa Barbara (12-7) couldn't hold a three-run lead in the 11th nor a one-run advantage in the 12th, and lost to host Long Beach State (12-7) 11-10 in 12 innings Saturday night.

The Gauchos, down 3-0 and being no-hit going into the fifth inning, put up a three-spot and tied the game in the top of the inning. Jeff Bannon broke up the no-no with a leadoff single to right center. He advanced to third on a Jed Stringham single to left, and later scored on a wild pitch by Long Beach State Starter Chad Bentz. After Andy Campanella walked, a bunt attempt by Jared Schumaker scored Stringham. Ryan Spilborghs' first hit of the game, a single to center, scored Campanella.

A Gaucho run in the seventh was answered by the Dirtbags, who tallied two more runs in the eighth to take a two-run lead. In the top of the ninth, Campanella led off by being hit by a pitch. With one out, Spilborghs singled to move Campanella to third. The left fielder scored on a subsequent Chad Peshke groundout. With two down, Spilborghs, who then advanced on a wild pitch, scored when Dave Molidor singled sharply to center to tie the game.

Campanella got the Gauchos started again in the 11th when he was hit for a second time to lead off an inning. He advanced to second when Schumaker grounded out, and scored when Spilborghs singled to right, his third run-scoring baseknock of the game. The Santa Barbara native then stole second before crossing the plate when Molidor reached on an infield single. Molidor advanced to second on the play then the ball rolled under the glove of the Long Beach State second baseman. The next batter, Tyler Von Schell, promptly singled to left to score Molidor. The hit broke an 0-for-5 day for Von Schell, and kept his season-long hitting streak alive at 19 games.

With runners on first and second and no outs, UCSB called on its closer, Schumaker, in relief of Jeremy Sugarman who pitched the ninth and tenth after starter James Garcia gave up six runs, three earned, in eight innings of work. Schumaker got the first batter to line out to shortstop Jeff Bannon. After walking the next man to load the bases, Schumaker gave up a single which moved everyone up one base. He then got the next batter to ground weakly back to the box and got the force out at home. However, Long Beach State's Jeff Jones then singled to score two men and tie the game. Gaucho reliever Matt Moran then came on to strike out Bryan Kennedy and end the inning.

But the game wasn't through, and neither was Schumaker. With Donovan Warrecker on second base after having walked and advanced on a Campanella sacrifice bunt, Schumaker came through with his only hit of the night, a triple to center to once again put the Gauchos ahead in extra innings.

With Moran on the mound for the Gauchos in the bottom of the 12th, Long Beach State loaded the bases with one out on two hits and a walk. A balk by Moran then tied the game, and the hosts won it two batters later when pinch hitter Elvis Nelson got a bloop single to right center. UCSB head coach Bob Brontsema was ejected after the balk call on Moran.

UCSB and Long Beach State will play tomorrow, Sunday, March 18, at 1:00 p.m. at Blair Field.